Conventional Items

Lettuce

Warmer temperatures arrived in the desert and production is on the rise while demand remains moderate.  Markets have eased and appear they will settle at current levels for the next couple weeks . Quality continues to vary with wide ranging weight , size and color. Shippers are still quoting product with epidermal peel and discoloration although many have been focused on removing any excess in the field.

Mix Leaf

Romaine  market has also slowed as production begins to improve while demand remains slightly off normal.  Quality will remain varied with twist , pale ribs along with epidermal peel and discoloration all evident . Some growers will skip over acreage with extensive epidermal to minimize arrival issues while others will continue full production which will result in slightly tiered pricing and quality.  Most shippers are still quoting product with Epidermal peel and discoloration.

Green leaf, Red leaf and Boston  are seeing similar quality although they tend to grow through these issues quicker. Overall demand has slowed and markets have eased although still elevated above Romaine. Expect tiered quality and pricing to continue.

Brussels Sprouts

California production is finishing for the season and Mexico is ramping up supplies. Tiered quality and pricing are still available We expect the market to remain strong through early February.

Celery

Supplies of celery are plentiful with most growers looking to promote over the next few weeks. Overall quality is reported as excellent. The weather in both in all growing regions of California has been very mild for this time of year. The extended forecast calls for ideal growing conditions with no major frost or rain expected over the next 10 days. The primary shipping points are Santa Maria, Oxnard and the Desert regions.

Artichokes

Production improves as weather in most production areas has been ideal.  Demand continues to be strong for “clean, frost free” Artichokes although most still have light to moderate frost damage . We anticipate improved quality heading into February. The superior edible Heirloom variety will be available in limited supplies from Northern California only .

Cauliflower

There will be good availability for the remainder of this week and going into next. Prices are beginning to decline and look for further declines as we finish out the week. Quality is good shipping out of the desert districts and is continuing to improve out of the Santa Maria area. Please run your offers by us.

Broccoli

Abundant supplies are available from all growing regions in California, Arizona and Mexico. With perfect weather expected across all growing areas. We expect to have heavy production over the next 10 days. We are packing excellent quality shortcut crowns in our Shui Ling label and are currently shipping out of Pharr, TX. Get with your Produce West sales representative for pricing and availability.

Green Onions

Mexico is ready to resume full production after its’ annual New Years hibernation. Expect pricing to ease sharply heading into February and quality should see improvements as long as insect pressure remains minimal.

Strawberries

Volumes are slowly increasing as a result of moderate climates with slightly warming temperatures, especially on the West Coast. Mexico has just recently experienced cooler weather but their yields are also expected to increase late this week just in time for the big Valentine’s day pull. Florida is coming out of a small planting gap but projections are they will begin to ramp back up towards the end of this week with fair numbers. The Stem Strawberry orders for Valentine’s Day are being booked now out of all areas. Look for markets to remain firm through next week in all areas

Raspberries

Moderate supplies out of Mexico. Quality has been good. Look for the market to remain firm with higher overtones for this week. We may see lower availability next week and at the same increased demand.

Blueberries

Blueberry availability is beginning to taper off for some shippers out of Mexico and demand is shifting to the offshore fruit to cover orders. Peruvian and Chilean product is available in Miami, Philadelphia and in smaller numbers the West Coast. Look for the market to begin to firm up as we see lighter availability overall in the industry. Quality has been good on fresher lots.

Blackberries

Good supplies coming out of Central Mexico loading in Texas FOB or West Coast distribution points in Oxnard, Yuma, and Florida. The market is on an upward swing from last week with lighter harvests being projected. Quality has been good overall although red cell is still present in some lots.

Stone Fruit

Lighter supplies and stronger demand this week as offshore product is being gobbled up the moment it arrives to port. More shipments are expected to arrive in the coming week, which should ease demand and build up inventories on multiple sizes. Quality reports are positive, with strong fruit arriving on both coasts.

Grapes

Red – Light supplies this week, a result of delayed arrivals from South America. Red grapes are in high demand as less product is available on both coasts. We expect better supplies towards the end of next week. We are about 2-3 weeks away from peak production, barring any transportation delays.

Green – Better supplies this week on both coasts. Markets have remained steady as volumes fluctuate. There have been some deals made on greens this week, but expect shortages in the coming days as there will be gaps in arrival of offshore vessels. Quality remains very nice with few or no problems to report.

Citrus

Oranges – small sizes are less available this week. Sizes are peaking on 88 and larger and there is a spread in pricing as a result. We expect markets to climb on smaller sizes as we go into next week. Quality has been good overall, although there have been some isolated reports of snowballs and soft fruit. Brix levels are excellent.

Lemons – better supplies this week as district 1 is in full production. There are still some desert lemons available and shippers are looking to clean up those inventories. Some quality issues are being reported however on storage fruit. Plenty of deals are being made on old and new crop so don’t hesitate to run offers by us.

Limes – Good supplies continue this week. Pricing is settling and shippers are looking to move product. Quality is very nice with good color and condition on most of the product coming in from Mexico.

Cantaloupes

As expected the cantaloupe market has improved. Supplies lightened up a bit Guatemala finishing up and Costa Rica starting but overall volume has been lower. Demand has been sluggish most of the season but with lower prices the past couple of weeks it has improved. Yet pricing has remained flat. Quality overall has been good as has been brix. Sizes have continued to peak on 9 then jbo 9s then 12 with few 15s and jbo 6s. Next week the current trends look to continue. Moderate to light production will continue for another week and demand should stay moderate, but could increase if there is warm spell in the Midwest and East. We look for a steady to slightly higher market next week.

Honeydews

Finally prices have faltered on honeydews. After spending December and good part of January in the upper teens, they have trended lower this past week. Quality continues to be fair. Production continues to be moderate at best, but feels as if the buyers are fed up with high prices, fair quality fruit. Added into the mix are slight increases in Mexican and off shore production and viola, we have a lower market. Next week production looks to be stable from the Caribbean Basin and increased in Mexico, with variable quality and condition. Demand should continue to be tepid at best. We look for a steady to lower market next week with some deep discounting on fair quality or off sized fruit.

Onions

Onions continue to hold steady with Idaho and Oregon trying to get a premium. Demand has slowed as receivers adjust to higher pricing. Storage quantities remain in sync with shipments for the time being. There is still a premium being paid for true Jumbo Yellow onions. Mexico will start to cross in the next few weeks.

Asparagus

Ads for 28/1’s are starting to appear as warm weather asserts itself in Caborca. Volume is gushing and the spot market has adjusted downward. Once all the Peruvian is cleaned up and the ads kick in we should see a stabilized market with promotable volumes.

Honeydews

Organic Items

OG Broccoli & Cauliflower

Cauliflower   As with most commodities in the desert production and quality is expected to take a step up. Expect prices to ease as temperatures continue to warm. Current forecasts call for ideal weather through mid February.

Broccoli    Production has begun to rebound and prices are reacting. Expect excellent supplies and improved quality as we enter the prime growing season in the desert.

OG Herbs & Bunch Greens

Most Herbs and Bunching Green production will continue to improve with most of the items originating from Mexico . The full range of commodities should be an excellent category to promote.

OG Root Vegetables

Carrot Production has been steady . Demand has been very strong. Temperatures are expected to warm and slowly improve supplies. Continue to plan ahead to get full coverage. Bunch carrot quality has improved although the tops are still showing signs of previous frost damage.

Potato Production continues to come mainly from storage on the west coast. We expect improved supplies by late spring.

Onion demand remains good and the market appears to be steady for storage supplies.  Quality is still good although some storage shipments have shown signs of age. New crop is expected in the Spring.

OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce

Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine   Increased supply is expected although quality will take a few more weeks to improve. Most lettuce will continue to suffer from epidermal peel and discoloration although romaine hearts should be affected the least with the ability to trim excess blister in the field. All growers are quoting product with these defects .

OG Citrus

Lemons: The market remains steady with good demand for domestic product as production continues to be steady. Quality from Arizona deserts remain smaller profile but higher percentage of fancy grade.

Oranges Navels production has begun to peak with improved sizing and excellent sugar levels. Optimum growing conditions has resulted in mostly larger profile limiting smaller fruit.  Expect tiered pricing on smaller fruit. Stronger supplies of mandarins and Caras are also available .

Limes:   The market appears to be settling at current levels with improved labor  supplies although quality is improving it remains inconsistent . Expect demand to improve throughout January.

Grapefruit:  Supplies have transitioned to Texas  and should return to the West Coast in coming weeks

OG Grapes

California: Central Valley of California harvest have finished with some storage fruit available.  Offshore fruit is available on either coast.

OG Avocados

Mexico:  Heavy supplies support strong demand. We anticipate prices to begin to ease as we enter February.

California: Production has increased although prices remain elevated with strong demand. We expect this year’s crop barring any significant weather issues to be substantially larger than previous years with excellent promotional opportunities.